Constantly curious. Lifelong Learner. Eternally optimistic. Dad, Husband and Son. Evolving all the time. Oh, and business blogger at QAspire.com

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The Roads We Take

The other day, I was reading out a short story of Akbar and the wise Birbal to my daughter. On his way back to Agra, Akbar encounters a crossroad and gets confused about which road to take. So, he stops a boy named Mahesh Das (later named as Birbal) and inquires about the road that goes to Agra. The young boy replies that none of these roads go to Agra. Akbar keeps his anger in check and seeks an explanation to which Birbal replies,

“Roads never go anywhere, people do.”

Life is the journey and a lot of it is shaped by the crossroads we encounter and the road we choose to take (if at all we get to choose). Then there are diversions, dead ends and slopes.

We may create grand plans and elaborate goals for our lives not knowing what lies ahead of us. Goals provide a good framework to direct our efforts but problem starts when treat our goals as our destination. I have learned that goals are simply milestones along the unknown path that we are onto. Worry too much about the milestones and you miss the beauty of the journey itself. Be anxious and it robs the joy out of the pursuit.

“Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.”

– Margaret Lee Runbeck

Much more fulfilling is to take this journey one step, one day, one moment at a time. To choose our path according to what we truly are and what kind of human being we want to become along the journey. To be driven by a grand purpose that makes a difference. To remain open to possibilities of life. To embrace abundance. To respond to changes in our journey as we encounter them. To slow down and notice things. To wander. To be driven by joy of doing things. To enjoy the ride and every moment within it. To work our way through diversions and get back on track. To evolve and learn from everything that we encounter en route.

Never regret a single moment of the journey. If it wasn’t your destination, it was preparation.

– Unknown

Then, the journey is not just a means to an end – it is the end in itself. Journey is the purpose.

Life is a cricket ground
Where there you are the only betsman
There is no stumps behind you.
Each ball delivered to you is an opportunity.
If you missed one ball,
Need not to worry
Another is ready to be delivered.
There is no limit of over .
You have to play untill you are on playground…